Cardiff sack Malky Mackay after fall-out with Malaysian owner

All together then: Vincent Tan (far right) and Malky Mackay celebrate an English League Cup semifinal win in 2012.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Cardiff City sack manager Malky Mackay

Mackay had been in charge since June 2011

Led Welsh side to the EPL last season

Public fall out with Malaysian owner Vincent Tan

(CNN) -- Malky Mackay was "relieved of his duties" as manager of Cardiff City Friday just 11 days after being told by the English Premier League club's Malaysian owner Vincent Tan he must resign or be sacked.

A statement on the club's official website confirmed the fate of the 41-year-old Scotsman, adding that a new first team manager would be appointed in due course.

The departure of Mackay was widely expected after his very public falling out with billionaire businessman Tan, who has had a controlling share in the Welsh club since 2010.

Tan sent Mackay an email on December 16, with the resign or be sacked ultimatum.

Cardiff narrowly missed out in the playoffs to secure promotion, but made no mistake last season by winning the second-flight Championship.

Off the field, while the Cardiff fans welcomed Tan's investment into the club, there were protests when he changed the club's traditional blue strip -- they are nicknamed the Bluebirds -- to red.

The majority appear to have been behind Mackay during the recent saga and there were several "Tan Out" banners unfurled at the Southampton game.

The defeat left Cardiff in 16th place, one point above the relegation zone and the new manager -- former Manchester United star Ole Gunnar Solksjaer is the early favorite -- will be judged on their ability to avoid the drop.